Sukta 12

Mantra 1

अग्निं दूतं वृणीमहे होतारं विश्ववेदसम् । अस्य यज्ञस्य सुक्रतुम् ॥

We choose Agni as the messenger—the inner envoy of the Divine—who stands as our invoking priest, knower of all; may he be the luminous and right-effective will for this sacrifice of self-offering.

Mantra 2

अग्निमग्निं हवीमभिः सदा हवन्त विश्पतिम् । हव्यवाहं पुरुप्रियम् ॥

Again and again call Agni with your offerings—ever invoke the Lord of the dwelling and the people, the bearer of oblations, the power dear to many parts of our being.

Mantra 3

अग्ने देवाँ इहा वह जज्ञानो वृक्तबर्हिषे । असि होता न ईड्यः ॥

O Agni, bring the gods here; born anew for the rite with the strewn sacred seat, you are our invoking priest, worthy of our inner adoration.

Mantra 4

ताँ उशतो वि बोधय यदग्ने यासि दूत्यम् । देवैरा सत्सि बर्हिषि ॥

Awaken those gods who yearn toward the light, when, O Agni, you go upon your embassy; with the gods you take your seat upon the sacred foundation of the offering.

Mantra 5

घृताहवन दीदिवः प्रति ष्म रिषतो दह । अग्ने त्वं रक्षस्विनः ॥

O you who are called with clarified offering, O shining Agni, burn back the assailing forces; you, Agni, are the protector against the powers of distortion and darkness.

Mantra 6

अग्निनाग्निः समिध्यते कविर्गृहपतिर्युवा । हव्यवाड्जुह्वास्यः ॥

By Agni, Agni is kindled: the seer-flame, the young lord of the dwelling; the strong carrier of the offering, whose mouth is the ladle—receiving and giving in one act of consecration.

Mantra 7

कविमग्निमुप स्तुहि सत्यधर्माणमध्वरे । देवममीवचातनम् ॥

Approach and praise the seer Agni in the unbroken rite—he whose law is truth; the divine power who drives away the inner illness and disorder.

Mantra 8

यस्त्वामग्ने हविष्पतिर्दूतं देव सपर्यति । तस्य स्म प्राविता भव ॥

Whoever, O Agni, the lord of the offering, serves you as the divine messenger—of him indeed become the forward protector and helper on the path.

Mantra 9

यो अग्निं देववीतये हविष्माँ आविवासति । तस्मै पावक मृळय ॥

He who, rich in offering, seeks to draw Agni for the gods’ coming and enjoyment—upon him, O purifying Fire, pour your grace and gladness.

Mantra 10

स नः पावक दीदिवोऽग्ने देवाँ इहा वह । उप यज्ञं हविश्च नः ॥

So then, O purifying and shining Agni, bring the gods here for us; draw near to our sacrifice and to our offering—enter and perfect this inner work.

Mantra 11

स नः स्तवान आ भर गायत्रेण नवीयसा । रयिं वीरवतीमिषम् ॥

He—praised by us—bring to us, by a newer (ever-renewed) gāyatrī-utterance, the rayi: a fullness of being that bears heroic powers, a nourishing impulse of growth.

Mantra 12

अग्ने शुक्रेण शोचिषा विश्वाभिर्देवहूतिभिः । इमं स्तोमं जुषस्व नः ॥

O Agni, with your bright flame and with all your god-calling summonings, accept and relish this hymn of ours—make it inwardly effective in us.